Written on: March 20, 2023
With spring arriving, your thoughts are likely turning to warmer weather and all that brings. The sun, the fun … the uncomfortableness in your home when it’s hot outside.
Window air conditioning units aren’t that great. They don’t cool larger spaces well. They are incredibly energy inefficient. They’re noisy. They’re a security risk, especially on the ground floor. Installation and removal are a hassle, and hazardous on the second floor and above. They block light, but let in plenty of bugs, pollen, dust, and dirt from outside.
This year is a great time to upgrade your home’s air conditioning with Hometowne Energy! We offer expert installation and service of both central air conditioning and ductless mini-splits.
Which one should you choose for your Finger Lakes Region home? Let’s go over your options so you can decide which one is right for you!
Pros
If you already have ductwork in place in your home, central air conditioning is the least expensive cooling option to install.
Using a ducted cooling system makes it easier to control indoor air quality thanks to its filtration and the ability to add air cleaning and humidifying/dehumidifying indoor air quality equipment to it.
Central air conditioning is superior to mini-splits when it comes to the ability to cool larger spaces and homes.
Central AC provides better aesthetics. The indoor unit is usually tucked out of sight while the vents are much less obtrusive than the indoor unit of a ductless mini-split. The outdoor unit is also easier to minimize visually.
Cons
With ductwork comes regular ductwork maintenance. Ductwork should be cleaned at least once every two to three years. Then, if ductwork becomes damaged, your AC’s efficiency will go down while your electric bills go up.
If you do not have zoned cooling, your energy costs will likely be higher than with ductless mini-splits.
Pros
As their name implies, ductless mini-splits do not need ductwork to keep your home cool! So, if your home uses a boiler for home heating, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars for ductwork to enjoy the benefits of ductless mini-splits.
Ductless mini-splits allow for zoned cooling. That means you can customize your cooling to your needs throughout the day. This allows for maximum energy efficiency.
Ductless mini-split systems are also perfect for hard-to-cool areas such as garages, basements and additions.
Unlike window units, you don’t need to install mini-splits in the spring and take them out in the fall. They’re permanently installed in your home.
Cons
While ductless mini-splits do have some air filtration, they are not as effective when it comes to keeping dust, allergens, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) out of your air as a ducted HVAC system.
Ductless mini-splits have a line carrying the condensate drain and electrical connections between the indoor and outdoor units. These run along the exterior of your home and, along with the outdoor unit, might be unattractive.
You’ll get outstanding energy efficiency from ductless mini-splits. However, installation costs are higher than central air conditioning (if you already have ductwork in place).
Are you ready to upgrade your home’s cooling? Contact Hometowne Energy today to begin the process of central AC or ductless mini-split installation!